Changes Come Racing at Jim and Sally
It’s always fun to see an author’s interests show up in their books. Via her social media and newsletters, I learned that Liz Milliron has a retired greyhound dog. So, when greyhound racing showed up in Lie Down with Dogs, the fifth Laurel Highlands Mystery, I smiled as I added it to my to be read list.
This series features Pennsylvania State Trooper Jim Duncan and defense attorney Sally Castle, who have started dating a few months back. And they are both going through some job changes. Jim has just transferred from regular patrol to the investigations division. Meanwhile, Sally is taking a job with a law firm that her friend is starting, leaving behind her job as a public defender.
On Jim’s first day in his new job, he and his new partner land a case. The victim has been dead in his house for a couple of days already, but they also find a greyhound in a cage in the back of the house. They are able to learn that the dog has retired from racing, but they can’t figure out how the victim got him.
Meanwhile, Sally has taken on her first client in private practice – an accountant accused of taking money from one of her clients. That client? A greyhound adoption nonprofit. Are Jim and Sally working two cases? Or is there a connection?
As always, the book is told from both Jim and Sally’s perspectives, which allows us to see the story as it is unfolding and allows us to get to know them both better. I really do like the characters, and I’m enjoying watching their relationship continue to grow. And yes, they are dealing with something on that front as well.
Change is never easy, and that is reflected here. I actually really liked how those storylines played out in relation to the larger mystery. They felt realistic, and I appreciated how both Jim and Sally were there to support each other. And yes, we still get to see some of the supporting players we’ve met in earlier books who bring fun to the series.
The plot was strong. I was drawn into the book and had a hard time putting it down. I wasn’t complaining when some time opened up in my schedule and I was able to read the second half in one day. I needed to know how things were going to end. And yes, things did make sense once we reached the climax.
I also learned a little something about greyhounds along the way, which added to the fun.
Lie Down with Dogs proves to be another entertaining mystery with great characters. If you aren’t reading Liz Milliron, you are missing out.
Be sure to check out the rest of the Laurel Highlands Mysteries.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thanks for stopping by. In order to combat spam, I moderate most comments. I'll get to your comment as soon as I can.